Anoectochilus

Blume 1825

Pronunciation:

An-eck-toe-KYE-luss (click on the name to hear it spoken)
Tribe: Cranichideae
Subtribe: Goodyerinae

Anoectochilus was first described in 1828 by C.L. Blume with Anct. setaceus as the type species. Referring to the open appearance of the lip, that is due to a sharp bend on the narrow strip that directs the tip of the lip downwards, the generic name was coined from the Greek anoektos (open) and cheilos (lip).

Anoectochilus are small terrestrial plants that have creeping horizontal stems. One of the commonly named ‘jewel orchids,’ Anoectochilus has beautifully marked leaves which are far more showy than the erect inflorescences of small flowers it produces.

Number of species:

The Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families currently recognizes 43 species (8/2012).